week off from trial drug
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Slester,
Are you a teacher? My sister is and she is learning all about how school can run without her. It was hard for her at first, but now she is learning to put herself first. She actually asked me if I wanted her to come for my surgery. Although I said no, this was a big step for her. So many teachers need to learn that they are as important as their students. So hats off to you for taking care of yourself.My blood counts drop on this chemo sometimes, not always. This time they really got wacky and despite I havent had chemo in 4 weeks, my bloodwork is still on the wonky side. I guess that just shows that chemo keeps working for weeks after it is infused.
Let us know how it goes.
Kris
Hi Slester,
I was on Gemzar and my white blood count went really low when I was on my week off. When I went back for the pre-med blood test, they found it was too low for treatment. The following week it was still too low. When it finally came back up (after being off treatment for 3 weeks), they were able to give me something extra at the end of treatment each week that prevented my white blood count from getting that low again. Since that is a common thing to have your white blood count drop (and a concern that they watch for), I don’t know why they just don’t give you the shot routinely. I was never told about the negatives for giving it. And because I went 3 weeks with a low blood count, my hair started to thin drastically. I know it was from the white blood count because as soon as my count came back up, my hair stopped coming out. I went another 2 months with treatment and my hair stayed the same.
You might ask about the shot to prevent the white blood count from dropping again (if they haven’t mentioned it already). The side effect I was told about is that it makes you ache because your bones don’t like being forced to produce more white blood cells. I noticed this a little bit, but not much, and not enough to bother me any.
Good luck, Linda
Hi Slester,
Yes our priorities do indeed change and yes the school can run without you for a while! I hope that you are feeling a bit better now and will be able to undergo your next chemo treatment.
My best wishes to you,
Gavin
You are so right. It is amazing how quickly our priorities can change. I hope that you are feeling better real soon. It is not uncommon for blood counts to drop. Generally, patients rebound and are able to receive the next schedules treatments.
Best wishes,
Marion
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